ENOUGH with the sports. We already have several venues for that. How many arenas do we need? This city needs a casino.
Rachel - 7 years ago
Not yet. The city isn't quite ready for this. With Clyde Theatre finally getting the funding it needs and the GE plant being renovated, this could strongly jeopardize the prosperity of both of those, as well as smaller establishments that still need time to flourish. We are becoming such an amazing city due to smaller businesses. This is far too extravagant for the time being, and we do not want to get ahead of ourselves. Give it some time.
Chris Dunn - 7 years ago
This is wasteful spending. I will vote against any elected official that supports this.
This will take business away from the Coliseum and other venues. Tax money will then be needed to support all of the venues. Our mayor keeps spending money on projects and we can't support what we already have. Let the private sector build it and support it.
Howard - 7 years ago
I am all for it as long as ZERO tax payer money is used to build it because it is not something Fort Wayne needs. I would rather my tax money go to things of substance. ie. roads, infrastructure, schools, etc. What I don't understand is that one of the big arguments to build it is to let the Mad Ants play there. Does anyone go to those games? It looks like there are 10 people in the seats at those games.
Max - 7 years ago
I was against Parkview Field when it was proposed because we already had a baseball stadium. I was proved wrong because Parkview Field has shown that it is a community treasure. It is well run, provides a downtown destination for thousands and has been a great asset to the community. I now believe that an arena will be just as important in bringing a better atmosphere to the downtown district.
Bill Larsen - 7 years ago
The function of government and the raising of taxes is to provide for services that are not provided by a company. Roads, schools, police, fire are main functions. The City of Fort Wayne has let our infrastructure fall to a poor state. Keeping taxes low while not maintaining infrastructure is wrong.
In the past three decades how many hundreds of millions of dollars has Fort Wayne and Allen County spent in the name of economic growth? In 1963 state income tax was 2%, now it is 3.3%; sales tax was 4%, now it is 7% with a 1% food and beverage tax; county option tax was zero now it is 1.35%. Yet with all the tax increases we are continuing to have problems with infrastructure: separation of storm and sanitary sewers which should have been accruing costs decades ago.
If people want an arena, let those who want one pay and build one. Let these people make or loose money on their own terms, not taxpayers. If a bank will not loan an entity money to build an arena, what business is it of city council or other government entities to take taxpayer money to fund something a bank will not? Taxpayers are not a loan entity.
Rick - 7 years ago
Yes! Definitely! We need to keep the momentum going for the vitalization of Fort Wayne, a new downtown arena is long overdue. The people who oppose had the same argument before Parkview Field was built which is now known as the best minor league stadium in the country and is a tremendous economic asset. Thanks Mayor Henry for all your work in bringing Ft. Wayne out of the dark ages. Press ON !!
mike smallwood - 7 years ago
yes arena is needed look what parkview field did if we want to keep and attract business and young people we need to be as attractive as we can look how much has been poured into the coliseum we still have an undersized antiquated facility I'm proud of parkview field we need more first class facilities in this town the tie in with the grand wayne would open up more convention opportunities
Cheryl Smithley - 7 years ago
We don't need it. Have these people drive thru when they have the baseball games & the Embassy has something going on. It's a pain in the butt. Anyway the are taking jobs and events away form the coliseum sense the tax payers is paying why should us the taxpayer pay for something that we don't what
Linda Demorest - 7 years ago
Why are we spending money we don't have for a new coliseum when we have a perfectly good one already? It would seem the money would be better spent on our roads--which are in sad need of repair, or a facility for the homeless to help them return to being money earners. Also, we are needing better sewage handling as the community is set on taking over the whole county it seems. Many things that would be of better benefit for Fort Wayne instead of another coliseum!
This building would probably result in more taxes--which we certainly don't need.
Ed - 7 years ago
I vote NO for two reasons: 1) location is now good, eliminates food services and reduces parking.2) current plans have no Ice for Hockey.or other ice activities. There coliseum will not handle all the demand for ice in the future. Simple sweet and to the point.
Linda Shelton - 7 years ago
The Coliseum works just fine..downtown really needs a nice big indoor water park..get the children and teens a place to go instead of on the street or in gangs! A water park would draw people from many area cities..create jobs..this would really be a bonus on getting new families to move here. It could be open all four seasons and generate revenue and draw other businesses to Fort Wayne....give the children a place to have fun, get exercise and relax!!
Rosemary - 7 years ago
It is a waste of taxpayers' money. With all the other large projects, i.e. River Front Development, the Sewage Tunnel costing over 200 million dollars, and the Landing development, this arena could be put on-hold. A grocery store, like Trader Joe's would be more appropriate and more useful. If we really need a Sports Arena, why not incorporate it in the General Electric project. I really object to taking space from the existing businesses and Library parking lot.
Brian J Yates - 7 years ago
100 m here 200 m there bur yet our taxes go up to fix the roads????Not how my bank account works.
Edward - 7 years ago
Pointlessvwhen we have the Coliseum event center and we can even sell it out for any kind of event. Wasting tax payers money on this when we should be focus more on schools and transportation for the safety of our children getting to and from schools..
Mike Buszuwski - 7 years ago
A $100,000,000.00 for an arena to replace another one created just a few years ago for the Mad Ants? That seems ridiculous and ridiculously high priced. Fort Wayne doesn't need more sports arenas nor sports teams anyway. To revitalize downtown, put in a nice grocery store, more opportunities for retail to move in, fix up old buildings and secure the creation of high speed passenger rail to and from Chicago, South Bend, Indianapolis, and Cleveland.
Angela - 7 years ago
Why do we need to boot out 3 thriving businesses and the library lose parking lots for this arena? And now it's going to cost even more mobey?why can't it be built on the old Omni Source land at 4th and Clinton?? It's bare land and no existing businesses have to be booted out! The Mad Ants haven't commited to it and it's suppose to be for them! NO ARENA in the planned location!!
Nick - 7 years ago
This proposal is great for our region and especially for downtown Fort Wayne. FW is always a lively place in the warmer summer months. This proposal begins to combat the issues of what to do in Fort Wayne during the colder, darker winter months. The proposal isn't just about the basketball games or other events that might happen there it's about the entire experience of what happens before and after those events. How people get to downtown, where they stop to get dinner or lunch prior to the game, maybe they stop at one of the other attractions of downtown etc etc. This also attracts people who want to be close enough to this energy to bike/walk. This creates demand for housing and near downtown neighborhood improvement and the potential to rethink transit in our city. It's much much bigger it affects more thus having a much larger payback for tax payer dollars. That's what separates it from the Memorial Coliseum. Not to mention the additional retail and restaurant space that will contribute to the everyday livelihood of downtown. Which downtown has over 20,000 people who work there and soon to be several thousand more living there. These types of projects are catalytic in nature and attract much more investment than the price-tag seen in this article. This project must also be seen as an expanse to the Grand Wayne Center that has been doing extremely well over the last decade. This structure will allow that growth to continue and bring more people and residual dollars into our community. I for one will be proud to show friends from other cities what my city is like and what we are doing. This city is in the midst of boom that only happens a few times in a 100 years. As citizens and as a city we must capitalize on this energy and make the greatest push towards our maximum potential that we possibly can. I understand fiscal responsibility but right now it's about capturing the moment in a great economy while we still have the chance. That being said yes we MUST hold these structures design, planning, financing and community influence to the highest possible standard.
Jordan - 7 years ago
I think that it is a very good idea to build the arena. it would be helpful to have a venue of that size downtown to attract more events and continue the events that the city already hosts. It would also encourage people to go out early and stay out after events, which would boost the economy downtown just like the Tin cap stadium has. Independent groups are already working on expanding the rescue mission and I believe that this money would come from a separate budget that improves the roads and other important upgrades. Double check that though. With the added revenue that this brings it would help with development and investors interest in the area, which will help out the south side and would bring in a grocery store into the area. Overall, it won't cost the average person much and it bring a lot of benefits. I believe it is a very good idea.
Phil clark - 7 years ago
What is needed is a grocery store downtown. I feel this would fit needs of the people that live in the down town area now and to come.
Adam - 7 years ago
They attempted to get developers on the south side and no one was interested. And OMG, does everyone have to write like Trump now with the exclamation marks?
Yolanda Tomei - 7 years ago
I also think it's a waste of taxpayers money. Use the money to help small businesses,help the homeless,build up the South side. I also think the ccliseum and the Tin caps stadium should be enough not to mention the Follinger theatre. Enough s enough quit wasting valuable taxpayers dollars. I
K Macy - 7 years ago
Not the right thing when we have the Mad Ants at Memorial Coliseum. Waste of money!
Instead, lets build a world class Aquarium instead downtown. That will bring visitors!
Brian Dear - 7 years ago
I think with the continuing upgrading of the Coliseum, to build an arena is "wasteful" spending of tax payers money. Nothing is wrong the continuing upgrades to the Coliseum. Simply use the money for other vital importance in the city/county.
ENOUGH with the sports. We already have several venues for that. How many arenas do we need? This city needs a casino.
Not yet. The city isn't quite ready for this. With Clyde Theatre finally getting the funding it needs and the GE plant being renovated, this could strongly jeopardize the prosperity of both of those, as well as smaller establishments that still need time to flourish. We are becoming such an amazing city due to smaller businesses. This is far too extravagant for the time being, and we do not want to get ahead of ourselves. Give it some time.
This is wasteful spending. I will vote against any elected official that supports this.
This will take business away from the Coliseum and other venues. Tax money will then be needed to support all of the venues. Our mayor keeps spending money on projects and we can't support what we already have. Let the private sector build it and support it.
I am all for it as long as ZERO tax payer money is used to build it because it is not something Fort Wayne needs. I would rather my tax money go to things of substance. ie. roads, infrastructure, schools, etc. What I don't understand is that one of the big arguments to build it is to let the Mad Ants play there. Does anyone go to those games? It looks like there are 10 people in the seats at those games.
I was against Parkview Field when it was proposed because we already had a baseball stadium. I was proved wrong because Parkview Field has shown that it is a community treasure. It is well run, provides a downtown destination for thousands and has been a great asset to the community. I now believe that an arena will be just as important in bringing a better atmosphere to the downtown district.
The function of government and the raising of taxes is to provide for services that are not provided by a company. Roads, schools, police, fire are main functions. The City of Fort Wayne has let our infrastructure fall to a poor state. Keeping taxes low while not maintaining infrastructure is wrong.
In the past three decades how many hundreds of millions of dollars has Fort Wayne and Allen County spent in the name of economic growth? In 1963 state income tax was 2%, now it is 3.3%; sales tax was 4%, now it is 7% with a 1% food and beverage tax; county option tax was zero now it is 1.35%. Yet with all the tax increases we are continuing to have problems with infrastructure: separation of storm and sanitary sewers which should have been accruing costs decades ago.
If people want an arena, let those who want one pay and build one. Let these people make or loose money on their own terms, not taxpayers. If a bank will not loan an entity money to build an arena, what business is it of city council or other government entities to take taxpayer money to fund something a bank will not? Taxpayers are not a loan entity.
Yes! Definitely! We need to keep the momentum going for the vitalization of Fort Wayne, a new downtown arena is long overdue. The people who oppose had the same argument before Parkview Field was built which is now known as the best minor league stadium in the country and is a tremendous economic asset. Thanks Mayor Henry for all your work in bringing Ft. Wayne out of the dark ages. Press ON !!
yes arena is needed look what parkview field did if we want to keep and attract business and young people we need to be as attractive as we can look how much has been poured into the coliseum we still have an undersized antiquated facility I'm proud of parkview field we need more first class facilities in this town the tie in with the grand wayne would open up more convention opportunities
We don't need it. Have these people drive thru when they have the baseball games & the Embassy has something going on. It's a pain in the butt. Anyway the are taking jobs and events away form the coliseum sense the tax payers is paying why should us the taxpayer pay for something that we don't what
Why are we spending money we don't have for a new coliseum when we have a perfectly good one already? It would seem the money would be better spent on our roads--which are in sad need of repair, or a facility for the homeless to help them return to being money earners. Also, we are needing better sewage handling as the community is set on taking over the whole county it seems. Many things that would be of better benefit for Fort Wayne instead of another coliseum!
This building would probably result in more taxes--which we certainly don't need.
I vote NO for two reasons: 1) location is now good, eliminates food services and reduces parking.2) current plans have no Ice for Hockey.or other ice activities. There coliseum will not handle all the demand for ice in the future. Simple sweet and to the point.
The Coliseum works just fine..downtown really needs a nice big indoor water park..get the children and teens a place to go instead of on the street or in gangs! A water park would draw people from many area cities..create jobs..this would really be a bonus on getting new families to move here. It could be open all four seasons and generate revenue and draw other businesses to Fort Wayne....give the children a place to have fun, get exercise and relax!!
It is a waste of taxpayers' money. With all the other large projects, i.e. River Front Development, the Sewage Tunnel costing over 200 million dollars, and the Landing development, this arena could be put on-hold. A grocery store, like Trader Joe's would be more appropriate and more useful. If we really need a Sports Arena, why not incorporate it in the General Electric project. I really object to taking space from the existing businesses and Library parking lot.
100 m here 200 m there bur yet our taxes go up to fix the roads????Not how my bank account works.
Pointlessvwhen we have the Coliseum event center and we can even sell it out for any kind of event. Wasting tax payers money on this when we should be focus more on schools and transportation for the safety of our children getting to and from schools..
A $100,000,000.00 for an arena to replace another one created just a few years ago for the Mad Ants? That seems ridiculous and ridiculously high priced. Fort Wayne doesn't need more sports arenas nor sports teams anyway. To revitalize downtown, put in a nice grocery store, more opportunities for retail to move in, fix up old buildings and secure the creation of high speed passenger rail to and from Chicago, South Bend, Indianapolis, and Cleveland.
Why do we need to boot out 3 thriving businesses and the library lose parking lots for this arena? And now it's going to cost even more mobey?why can't it be built on the old Omni Source land at 4th and Clinton?? It's bare land and no existing businesses have to be booted out! The Mad Ants haven't commited to it and it's suppose to be for them! NO ARENA in the planned location!!
This proposal is great for our region and especially for downtown Fort Wayne. FW is always a lively place in the warmer summer months. This proposal begins to combat the issues of what to do in Fort Wayne during the colder, darker winter months. The proposal isn't just about the basketball games or other events that might happen there it's about the entire experience of what happens before and after those events. How people get to downtown, where they stop to get dinner or lunch prior to the game, maybe they stop at one of the other attractions of downtown etc etc. This also attracts people who want to be close enough to this energy to bike/walk. This creates demand for housing and near downtown neighborhood improvement and the potential to rethink transit in our city. It's much much bigger it affects more thus having a much larger payback for tax payer dollars. That's what separates it from the Memorial Coliseum. Not to mention the additional retail and restaurant space that will contribute to the everyday livelihood of downtown. Which downtown has over 20,000 people who work there and soon to be several thousand more living there. These types of projects are catalytic in nature and attract much more investment than the price-tag seen in this article. This project must also be seen as an expanse to the Grand Wayne Center that has been doing extremely well over the last decade. This structure will allow that growth to continue and bring more people and residual dollars into our community. I for one will be proud to show friends from other cities what my city is like and what we are doing. This city is in the midst of boom that only happens a few times in a 100 years. As citizens and as a city we must capitalize on this energy and make the greatest push towards our maximum potential that we possibly can. I understand fiscal responsibility but right now it's about capturing the moment in a great economy while we still have the chance. That being said yes we MUST hold these structures design, planning, financing and community influence to the highest possible standard.
I think that it is a very good idea to build the arena. it would be helpful to have a venue of that size downtown to attract more events and continue the events that the city already hosts. It would also encourage people to go out early and stay out after events, which would boost the economy downtown just like the Tin cap stadium has. Independent groups are already working on expanding the rescue mission and I believe that this money would come from a separate budget that improves the roads and other important upgrades. Double check that though. With the added revenue that this brings it would help with development and investors interest in the area, which will help out the south side and would bring in a grocery store into the area. Overall, it won't cost the average person much and it bring a lot of benefits. I believe it is a very good idea.
What is needed is a grocery store downtown. I feel this would fit needs of the people that live in the down town area now and to come.
They attempted to get developers on the south side and no one was interested. And OMG, does everyone have to write like Trump now with the exclamation marks?
I also think it's a waste of taxpayers money. Use the money to help small businesses,help the homeless,build up the South side. I also think the ccliseum and the Tin caps stadium should be enough not to mention the Follinger theatre. Enough s enough quit wasting valuable taxpayers dollars. I
Not the right thing when we have the Mad Ants at Memorial Coliseum. Waste of money!
Instead, lets build a world class Aquarium instead downtown. That will bring visitors!
I think with the continuing upgrading of the Coliseum, to build an arena is "wasteful" spending of tax payers money. Nothing is wrong the continuing upgrades to the Coliseum. Simply use the money for other vital importance in the city/county.